Hotel Review: Shangri La Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa

If you want to see the best sunset over the ocean that Sabah can offer, then you need to stay at the Shangri La Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa.

Surrounded by the familiar lush rainforests that blanket Borneo, Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa is just a short drive from down town Kota Kinabalu. It is a place that engages all your senses. From the sea breeze that caresses the skin to the sound of lapping waves that send you drifting into a peaceful sleep.

Keeping with traditional Borneo colours and textures, the resort is a delicate balance of local culture and contemporary luxury. The spacious common areas of the resort give a sense of space that opens beyond the walls of the resort.

Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa, Kota Kinabalu, comprises 492 luxurious rooms and suites in two wings – the Kinabalu Wing and the Tanjung Wing. Kinabalu Seaview rooms and suites offer memorable views of both the ocean and Mount Kinabalu, while rooms in the Tanjung Wing face the South China Sea. All rooms have Sabah-inspired touches, reflected in the rich woods, colourful fabrics, and indulgent furnishings.

Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa restaurants serve up a mix of international and Asian gourmet specialties. Café TATU is a contemporary establishment featuring a varied buffet breakfast and dinner in an open-kitchen design. Peppino has a contemporary Italian ambience, while Shang Palace upholds the ancient tradition of delicious Chinese cuisine. At Coco-Joe’s Bar & Grill, an engaging culinary and cultural performance pays tribute to Borneo’s fascinating heritage. The drawcard however is the iconic Sunset Bar, perched at the edge of the South China Sea, where you can relax with a cocktail while watching the sun dip past the horizon in a setting fit for a postcard.

The resorts facilities and activities will ensure every guest has days filled with as much or as little as they please. There is an exclusive Health Club for guests and club members, fitted with the latest gym equipment in addition to dedicated areas for cardio, weights, Pilates and personal training. The resort sits alongside an inviting stretch of beach from the South China Sea. If ocean swimming is not suitable, there is the massive 2,000 square metre pol that offers a cool respite from the tropical heat, and comes complete with tapered shoreline for children, a Jacuzzi and infinity pool section for adults.

Daily activities add to these facilities and include everything from Yoga, Thai Chi, Bird Watching and Cooking Classes to the more energetic Soccer, Water Volleyball and Aqua Exercise. Professional water sport services, boating and cruise facilities are available from the resorts very own STAR Marina. Located within the resort grounds, the marina offers guests easy accessibility to neighbouring islands for day trips and beach activities.

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Traveller Kate

Kate Webster is a travel journalist – writer and photographer who travels the globe in search of vivid imagery and compelling stories that capture the essence of the places she visits. Born out of a life-long love of travel and fascination with the world around her, is Kate’s inspiration behind her writing and photography.